Identification of Candidate Genes Involved in Bud Growth in Pinus pinaster through Knowledge Transfer from Arabidopsis thaliana Models

Abstract

Pinus pinaster is a plant species of great ecological and economic importance. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms that govern the growth and branching of P. pinaster is crucial for enhancing wood production and improving product quality. In this study, we describe a simple methodology that enables the discovery of candidate genes in Pinus pinaster by transferring existing knowledge from model species like Arabidopsis thaliana and focusing on factors involved in plant growth, including hormonal and non-hormonal pathways. Through comparative analysis, we investigated the main genes associated with these growth-related factors in A. thaliana. Subsequently, we identified putative homologous sequences in P. pinaster and assessed the conservation of their functional domains. In this manner, we can exclude sequences that, despite displaying high homology, lack functional domains. Finally, we took an initial approach to their validation by examining the expression levels of these genes in P. pinaster trees exhibiting contrasting growth patterns. This methodology allowed the identification of 26 candidate genes in P. pinaster. Our findings revealed differential expression patterns of key genes, such as NCED3, NRT1.2, PIN1, PP2A, ARF7, MAX1, MAX2, GID1, AHK4, AHP1, and STP1, in relation to the different growth patterns analyzed. This study provides a methodological foundation for further exploration of these genes involved in the growth and branching processes of P. pinaster. This will contribute to the understanding of this important tree species and open new avenues for enhancing its utilization in sustainable forestry practices.